The Rise Of The Mid-Week Getaway: Why It Should Be Your New Travel Habit
Image Courtesy of Destination British Columbia
There’s something about a “weekend getaway” that has a ring to it. The preservation of valuable vacation days and weekend entertainment offerings is undeniably enticing. For those employed in hospitality and tourism, the crowds on weekends are both dreaded and profitable.
As we enter this new era of travel, it’s the time to be open to making sacrifices for safety. Here in British Columbia, Dr. Bonnie Henry recommends fewer faces in bigger spaces but how is that to be accommodated on a hot summer weekend in a visitor hot spot like Tofino or Whistler? Meet the up and coming “mid-week getaway”.
While not everyone has the vacation time to take advantage of this option, if you have a non-traditional work schedule or are currently working remote, adventure awaits! Why not see if you can work half days and get down to business in the morning with adventurous afternoons? Your co-workers will envy your Zoom backdrop!
So why travel on a weekday?
Cost Savings. Accommodations can be as much as 30% less expensive for a Sunday-Thursday stay. It’s also easier to find weekday bundle offers through hotels and third party sites like TravelZoo that include extras such as free parking, breakfast and resort fees.
A Better Dining Experience. Fewer crowds mean it’s easier to get dining reservations at desired times at your preferred dining hot spots. Some restaurants even offer special weeknight deals such as 3-course prix fixe menus to better target locals and help you stretch your dollar further.
Less crowded hotel amenities. You may be surprised to realize your hotel pool or fitness center now requires a reservation. Weekdays offer greater availability and fewer people so you can get that comfy lounge chair right by the pool or snag a spot in the daily yoga class.
Transportation is less busy. It’s hard to believe you could take the ferry in summer without a reservation, but weekdays offer greater flexibility due to less popular sailings. Highways are also not as busy so you can minimize those dreaded traffic delays and wasted gas.
Shorter shopping lines. If you enjoy shopping on vacation, be prepared for line-up’s in popular visitor destinations. Weekdays will offer a more relaxed shopping experience so you don’t have to rush to accommodate other shoppers or waste precious vacation time in line.
Spacious attractions. Expect to see notes about maximum capacity to ensure proper spacing in popular outdoor viewing spots such as the Sea-to-Sky Gondola. Less visitors equal shorter wait times and a more enjoyable and seamless experience.
Flexible hotel policies. Hotels will always do their best to accommodate requests like a later check-in and later check-out but it’s much more likely when occupancy levels are low on a weekday.
More accommodation options. Although occupancy rates are low right now for the hotel industry, it’s much easier to snag a last-minute reservation at that dream vacation home rental or campground during the week.
Smaller tour sizes. As suppliers adapt to new health and safety standards, you can expect to see smaller group sizes. Less popular tour times are more likely to offer a more intimate experience so you can feel even safer and have a higher chance of ending up with a private tour!
It’s socially responsible. If you are able to travel on a weekday you can help to reduce the crowds, especially in smaller communities. Leave the weekends to those who have no option but to travel on a weekend.
It is our job to help support our industry in its recovery and if you’re in a position where you’re able to travel, businesses will appreciate your weekday business. You will not only have a better vacation experience but you’ll also help keep yourself and others safe by minimizing crowds. So what are you waiting for? Start planning that mid-week getaway and make Dr. Bonnie Henry proud.